Published: September 16, 2025
MONROVIA — A Lebanese national was killed and nearly two dozen others remain hospitalized after a massive explosion tore through the Mira Oxygen and Gas Inc. factory along the Japan Freeway in Monrovia on Monday, sparking renewed concerns over industrial safety in Liberia.
Authorities said the blast, triggered when one of the plant’s oxygen tankers ignited, left victims with third-degree burns and severe eye injuries that could cause permanent blindness.
Ansu Dulleh, executive director of the National Disaster Management Agency, confirmed Tuesday that 19 employees were taken to John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital while another victim was treated at a clinic in Sinkor.
“This is a grave disaster,” Dulleh told reporters. “The Liberia National Police, Environmental Protection Agency and our disaster response team have quarantined the premises. We will hold the company’s management accountable.”
Col. G. Warsuwah Barbour, Director of the Liberia Fire Service, stated that firefighters received the distress call at 2:16 p.m. and arrived within minutes.
“Our team managed to rescue 29 individuals,” he said at a briefing at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism. “Nineteen were transported to JFK, and one was taken to a nearby health center. Some remain in critical condition.”
Witnesses described chaos as plumes of smoke rose from the site and residents fled. “At first when I heard the sound, I thought it came from Cemenco, but it was from this fence,” said neighbor Marthalin Johnson.
Initial accounts conflicted. Fire officials first reported seven injuries, while workers insisted the toll was closer to 20. Inspector General R. Baiyezinah Brown of the Liberia National Police told journalists late Monday there were “no confirmed deaths.” But by Tuesday, NDMA confirmed one fatality and dozens injured.
Company officials have not issued a formal statement, fueling public frustration. District 13 Rep. Edward Papy Flomo was among those who visited the site to calm residents demanding answers.
The explosion is the second industrial accident tied to Mira’s operations in recent months. In August, an unrelated blast at its Mira Gas refilling facility in the Freeport Community injured more than a dozen workers and prompted a government safety probe.
That earlier incident was reportedly caused during a filling process overseen by a supervisor identified only as Melvin. Workers at the time blamed improper handling of a transfer pipe and the lack of emergency exits for worsening casualties.
Monday’s disaster has intensified scrutiny of the company, which supplies oxygen for hospitals and industries and bottled gas for households across Monrovia.
Authorities have launched a joint investigation involving the Environmental Protection Agency, Liberia National Fire Service and the police. Dulleh said investigators are focusing on safety compliance, equipment handling, and whether the facility met environmental standards.
Liberia has long struggled with enforcing workplace and industrial safety regulations. Many factories operate with minimal oversight, leaving workers exposed to poorly maintained equipment and inadequate emergency protocols.
“This tragedy underscores the urgent need for strict enforcement of safety laws,” said one senior environmental officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the probe is ongoing. “Until government moves from reactive responses to preventive enforcement, we will continue to see disasters like this.”
As families gathered outside hospitals awaiting news of their loved ones, Mira Oxygen and Gas remained sealed off by police tape.
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